Labour and Tories denying real debate on Europe

7.13.24pm GMT Wed 5th Mar 2008

The Lib Dems have called for a referendum on Britain's EU membership

Jo Swinson has slammed Labour and Conservative MPs for denying her East Dunbartonshire constituents a proper debate on the European Union.

MPs at Westminster have voted on a Liberal Democrat proposal for an 'in or out' referendum on Britain's membership of the EU. The proposal was defeated after Labour and Tory MPs voted against it.

An Ipsos MORI poll carried out this week found that most respondents were in favour of a referendum on Britain's EU membership.

Jo said:

"In East Dunbartonshire, and up and down the country, the debate people are having is not over the minutiae of the Lisbon Treaty - it is over Britain's future in Europe.

"This is backed up by a MORI survey carried out this week. The poll showed that 54% of the public favoured a referendum on EU membership, 27% were against a referendum and 19% did not express an opinion.

"When asked - 'if there were to be a referendum on Britain's relationship with Europe, would you prefer it to be a referendum only on the Lisbon Treaty, or a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union?' - the public preferred a membership referendum by a margin of more than 2:1.

"Clearly the real debate is not over the contents of this Treaty but the issue of Europe as a whole. Sadly, it is a debate the British people will not be given the chance to vote on, because of the actions of Labour and Tory MPs."

Related Link:

Full results of the Ipsos MORI poll